Why we are different? Phi Beta Kappa, the first American college fraternity, was
organized on the campus of the College of William and Mary
in 1776. Black college
fraternities and sororities did not
emerge until the early 1900s. With founding dates from
1906-1963, the member Chapters of the National
Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) has a deep history and tradition which makes
us different than most fraternities and sororities you may encounter.
Aren’t
all Greeks the same?
Don’t confuse us with other councils and Greek-letter groups. The Panhellenic Council is an council of predominately-white
sororities. Interfraternity Council (IFC),
an council of predominately-white fraternities. National Pan Hellenic Council (NPHC) is an organization of Fraternities and Sororities of African-American Descent.
All NPHC organizations have integrated since the 1940’s, and we have members from
various ethic backgrounds.
Life
Commitments and Service to others
NPHC
organizations encourage life-long commitments and we typically have members who
are active for 40, 50, even 60 years or more. Each organization incorporates
scholarship and service into their preambles. This focus gives us an unique blend
of service and social elements from our chapters to our communities.
Aren’t you a College Greek Organization?
Yes, all members
of the NPHC Chapters have attended college. However, each organization has
graduate and undergraduate chapters. Once an undergraduate member leaves
college they are expected to affiliate with a graduate chapter. This Upstate Pan-Hellenic
Council has only Graduate Chapters as members of its council. Many chapters and members act
as advisors to local undergraduate chapters in the area.
Why do some NPHC chapters identify themselves with Greek
names?
Also many
(not all) chapters signify the chapters with Greek names, thus chapters maybe
known by Chapter name followed by the Organization name. (i.e. Gamma Gamma
Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.). Other simply use the graphical location in their names (i.e. Greenville Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.) .
In any case, Chapters are local affiliates of the larger national organization.
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